Supporting device

ABSTRACT

This invention provides a rack for supporting implements or the like, which includes a pair of parallel rods held together at one end by a plate welded to short horizontal sections of the rods, beyond which are vertical downwardly extending portions. Tangs extend upwardly from one edge of the plate. Spaced abutments are provided on the rods beyond the horizontal parts, the abutments supporting the garden tools with their handles extending through the space between the rods, while the tangs as well as the vertical and horizontal portions of the rods provide means for alternate attachments of the rack to supporting elements.

United States Patent [1 1 Hamrock et al.

[ NOV. 25, 1975 .1 SUPPORTING DEVICE [75] Inventors: Edward M. l-lamrock, Whittier; Earl David Pressler, Downey, both of Calif.

[73] Assignee: Enterprise Products, Inc., Downey,

Calif.

22 Filed: Dec. 22, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 317,520

211/69, 69.1, 87, 39, 69.9; 248/DIG. 3, 110, 225, 217, 216, 223, 65, 90, 224; 108/110 3,211,293 10/1965 Tarnoff 248/DIG. 3 3,272,468 9/1966 Wittrock... 248/D1G. 3 UX 3,374,898 3/1968 Karmin 248/D1G. 3 UX 3,484,069 12/1969 Larson 21 1/100 X 3,715,096 2/1973 Filbert 248/D1G. 3 X

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 262,957 10/1949 Switzerland... 248/223 801,003 12/1950 Germany 211/60 T Primary Examiner.l. Franklin Foss Attorney, Agent, or Firm--Gausewitz, Carr & Rothenberg [57] ABSTRACT This invention provides a rack for supporting implements or the like, which includes a pair of parallel rods held together at one end by a plate welded to short horizontal sections of the rods, beyond which are vertical downwardly extending portions. Tangs extend upwardly'irom one edge of the plate. Spaced abutments are provided on the rods beyond the horizontal parts, the abutments supporting the garden tools with their handles extending through the space between therods, while the tangs as'well as the vertical and horizontal portions of the rods provide means for alternate attachments of the rack to supporting elements.

9 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 325,196 8/1885 Caldwell 211/60 T X 468,802 2/1892 Hager 21 l/65 787,513 4/1905 Holder 248/224 1,344,402 6/1920 Hunter..... 248/DIG. 3 UX 1,658,744 2/1928 Snyder 211/104 X 2,766,958 10/1956 Levy 248/D1G. 3 UX 2,824,650 2/1958 Conklin 211/87 X 2,842,264 7/1958 Larson.. 211/87 X 2,863,567 12/1958 Friar 248/DIG. 3 UX 2,917,356 12/1959 Da Cruz... 211/65 X 2,952,343 9/1960 Modrey 248/D1G. 3 UX 0 q a 0 q a 15 3 '1 0 l Q 3 J g Z! a y (/0 24 2a 1 1r A O f .2 J

0 3 1 Q 2 a J US. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 3,921,812

m-livlll-llvllli SUPPORTING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a device for supporting implements, such as garden tools.

2. Description of Prior Art In retaining garden tools, other implements or similar articles, there is need for a simple rack to hold the tools in a compact and attractive grouping. A primary need for such a device is in the merchandising field for displaying such items for sale. The rack should be of a construction such that it can be readily installed or removed, that the tools be easily placed on'or removed from the rack, and that the device be economically manufactured, yet of durable construction. Racks of the prior art have lacked the capability of combining these characteristics in a single practical unit. Examples of previous designs are found in US. Pat. Nos. 2,754,974, 3,409,290, 3,484,069, 3,638,801 and SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention providesa compact low-cost rack which is both strong and attractive. It will hold garden tools or other items in a very compact relationship, maintaining them spaced apart and yet close to each other for maximum effectiveness. The rack can be attached to a supporting structure without fasteners and to either a horizontal or a vertical surface.

The device includes a pair of rods which have upwardly inclined elongated portions, to the upper surfaces of which are attached balls which form abutments. The tools are carried by these elongated portions of the rods, with their blades or other wider parts resting on the surfaces of the rods, the ball abutments keeping the tools closely spaced apart and preventing the tools from sliding downwardly. The handles hang downwardly through the space between the rods. At the lower ends of the rods are short horizontal sections, beneath which are short vertical end parts. On the upper surfaces of the horizontal parts, there is welded a plate from the outer edge of which project tangs, which are parallel to the vertical ends of the rods but spaced outwardly with respect to them.

The device can be supported either on Pegboard or from a horizontal member having openings through it. The tangs are spaced so that they will fit through the openings of standard Pegboard, which positions them on the rearward side of the Pegboard, while the depending end parts of the rods bear against the, forward face of the Pegboard. This effectively suspends the rack with its principal portion projecting outwardly from the Pegboard, all of this being accomplished simply by insertion of the tangs through the Pegboard openings and requiring no auxiliary fasteners. For the alternate suspension arrangement, the depending end parts of the rods are inserted through openings in a horizontal surface, which then allows the adjacent horizontal portions of the rods to rest on the horizontal surface, cooperating with the vertical ends to support the rack. Again, therefore, the attachment is made very easily, and no fasteners are required.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the rack of this invention, illustrating also in phantom a Pegboard from which the rack is suspended and garden tools held on the rack;

Flg. 2 is a side elevational view, partially in section, of the rack as used in the manner illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the rack and a channel to which the rack is to be secured to the alternate attachment; and

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view, partially in section, illustrating the rack in its secured position on the channel.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The rack of this invention-includes a pair of rods 10 and 11, which may be round in cross section as illustrated. At its lower end, the rod 10 includes a short section 12, which is vertical when the rack is in use, extending from the upper end of which is a short horizontal portion 13. Inclined upwardly at an obtuse angle from the horizontal-portion 13 is an elongated part 14 which connects at an obtuse angle to a short vertical upper end section 15.

The second rod 11 has portions corresponding to those of the rod 10, including the short vertical part 17 at the lower portion, which connects at a right angle to a short horizontal portion 18. Beyond this there is a longer upwardly inclined part terminating in an upper end portion 20. The spaced rods 10 and 11 define an elongated opening 21 between them.

The rods 10 and 11 are held together in spaced parallelism by a rectangular plate 22 which is welded to the upper surface of the short horizontal portions 13 and 18 of the two rods 10 and 11. Projecting from the side edge 23 of the plate 22, which is remote from the upwardly inclined portions 14 and 19 of the two rods, are four tangs 24, 25, 26 and 27. The tangs 24, 25, 26 and 27 include short horizontal parts 28, 29, 30 and 31, respectively, beyond which they are bent upwardly at to provide vertical parts 32, 33, 34, and 35. This positions the vertical ends of the tangs so that they are parallel t0 the lower vertical end parts 12 and 17 of the rods, but spaced slightly beyond these rod ends.

Welded t0 the upper surface of the upwardly inclined part 14 of the rod 10 are balls 37. These elements are equally spaced along the length of the rod section 14, and typically there are six of these elements. Corresponding balls 38 are welded to the upper surface of the section 19 of the rod 11, the balls 38 being equal in number to those of the balls 37 and aligned transversely with them.

The rack may be supported in two different ways, one of which is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. This will attach the rack to the surface of a vertical perforated panel, such as ordinary Pegboard. To accomplish this, the tangs 24, 25, 26 and 27 are extended through four of the openings 39 in the Pegboard 40. The spacing of the tangs 24, 25, 26 and 27 is made equal to the spacing of the openings in conventional Pegboard. When the tangs are extended through the perforations in the Pegboard, their vertical ends 32, 33, 34 and 35 bear against the reverse side 41 of the Pegboard, as seen in FIG. 2. The horizontal parts 28, 29, 30 and 31 .of the tangs are positioned in the openings 39, being just slightly longer than the thickness of the Pegboard.

At the same time, the lower vertical end sections 12 and 17 of the rods 10 and Il engage the outside surface 42 of the Pegboard 40. With the tangs 24, 25, 26 and 27 extending upwardly on the backside and the end sections 12 and 17 depending downwardly on the forward side of the Pegboard beneath the openings 39, rtational forces are absorbed and the rack then is firmly held by the Pegboard.

With the rack positioned in this manner, it is adapted to support items, such as garden tools, which have a blade from which a handle extends. In the example illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, spades 43 are carried by the rack. The blades 44 of the spades rest upon the upper surfaces of the inclined portions 14 and 19 of the rods 10 and 11, while the handles 45 of the spades hang downwardly through the space 21 between the two rods. The balls 37 and 38 hold the spades in position along the length of the rack, keeping them closely spaced and aligned transversely of the rack.

In this way, it is possible for a merchant to display a number of tools for sale, with the tools arranged in a neat and attractive manner. It is a simple mater to re move the tools from the rack or to place additional quantities on it. In only a limited space, several racks may be positioned so as to display a sizable quantity of tools. The use of the rack is not limited, of course, to display, but will serve as well for holding tools or other implements for almost any purpose.

The alternative form of suspension illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 permits the rack to be carried by a part having a flat upper surface with openings in it. Typically, this is a channel, such as the U-shaped channel 46 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, which is inverted and provided with spaced openings 47 extending through its central portion 48. For support on the channel 46, the lower end sections 12 and 17, which are spaced apart the same distance as the openings 47, merely are inserted through the openings so that the adjacent horizontal parts 13 and 18 of the rods can rest upon the upper surface 48. This firmly supports the rack, as the weight of the rack and its contents are supported by the channel with the torque load being absorbed by the vertical sections 12 and 17 and their reaction against the edges of the openings 47.

Thus, the device of this invention is versatile, being capable of suspension in two different ways. In each instance, connection of the rack is made in only a moment of time, requiring no fasteners or auxiliary attaching means. Removal of the rack is equally simple.

The foregoing detailed description is to be clearly understood as given by way of illustration and example only, the spirit and scope of this invention being limited solely by the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A supporting device for tools or the like comprising a duality of elongated spaced elements for engagement by a tool or the like, said elements defining an elongated opening therebetween adapted to receive the handle of such a tool, a plurality of spaced abutments on the upper surfaces of said elements for retaining such tools on said elements, a first means for support projecting downwardly at one end of said elements, said first means for support including a plurality of individual spaced prongs for alternatively engaging the forward side of a vertical structure and extending through openings in a horizontal structure,

a second means for support projecting upwardly at said end of said elements,

said second means for support being substantially parallel to said first means and spaced outwardly therefrom, said second means for support including a plurality of individual spaced prongs for engaging the rearward side of a vertical structure and cooperating with said first means for support in holding said device to such a vertical structure, and

a third means for support inwardly of said first and second means for support, and substantially perpendicular thereto for resting on a horizontal structure and cooperating with said first means for support in holding said device to such a horizontal structure.

2. A device as recited in claim 1 in which said elements are rods in spaced parallelism.

3. A device as recited in claim 2 in which said abutments are balls secured to the upper surfaces of said rods.

4. A device as recited in claim 3 in which said third means for support is a continuation of said rods, the said rods having principal portions projecting upwardly beyond said third means for support and at an obtuse angle relative thereto.

5. A device as recited in claim 4 in which said first means for support is an additional continuation of said rods extending downwardly substantially at right angles to the outer ends of said first-mentioned continuation of said rods, said additional continuation of said rods defining said individual prongs of said first means for support.

6. A device as recited in claim 5 including in addition a plate secured to said rods at said first-mentioned continuations thereof, said second means for support being spaced tangs projecting from one edge of said plate defining said individual prongs of said second means for support.

7.. A device as recited in claim 6 in which each of said tangs is a continuation of said plate including a first portion aligned with said plate and adjacent thereto, and a second portion bent upwardly from said first portion substantially at right angles relative thereto.

8. A supporting device for implements comprising a duality of spaced parallel rods, each of said rods including a first relatively short straight portion having an undersurface adapted to engage the upper surface of a horizontal structure,

a second relatively short straight portion extending downwardly substantially at right angles from one end of said first portion for alternatively engaging the forward surface of a vertical structure, and extending through openings in the upper surface of a horizontal structure for cooperating with said first portion in holding said device to such a horizontal structure, and

a third portion longer than said first and second portions extending upwardly from the opposite end of said second portion at an obtuse angle relative to said first portion for engagement by an implement to be supported,

a plurality of spaced balls secured to the upper surface of each of said third portions for forming abutments to retain such implements so engaged by said third portions, and an element attached to and interconnecting the upper surfaces of said first portions of said rods, said element having 9. A device as recited in claim 8 in which said element includes a substantially flat plate, and said tangs include additional portions extending from an edge of said plate to outer ends of said additional portions.

said first-mentioned portions of said tangs extending from said outer ends of said additional portions of said tangs. 

1. A supporting device for tools or the like comprising a duality of elongated spaced elements for engagement by a tool or the like, said elements defining an elongated opening therebetween adapted to receive the handle of such a tool, a plurality of spaced abutments on the upper surfaces of said elements for retaining such tools on said elements, a first means for support projecting downwardly at one end of said elements, said first means for support including a plurality of individual spaced prongs for alternatively engaging the forward side of a vertical structure and extending through openings in a horizontal structure, a second means for support projecting upwardly at said end of said elements, said second means for support being substantially parallel to said first means and spaced outwardly therefrom, said second means for support including a plurality of individual spaced prongs for engaging the rearward side of a vertical structure and cooperating with said first means for support in holding said device to such a verTical structure, and a third means for support inwardly of said first and second means for support, and substantially perpendicular thereto for resting on a horizontal structure and cooperating with said first means for support in holding said device to such a horizontal structure.
 2. A device as recited in claim 1 in which said elements are rods in spaced parallelism.
 3. A device as recited in claim 2 in which said abutments are balls secured to the upper surfaces of said rods.
 4. A device as recited in claim 3 in which said third means for support is a continuation of said rods, the said rods having principal portions projecting upwardly beyond said third means for support and at an obtuse angle relative thereto.
 5. A device as recited in claim 4 in which said first means for support is an additional continuation of said rods extending downwardly substantially at right angles to the outer ends of said first-mentioned continuation of said rods, said additional continuation of said rods defining said individual prongs of said first means for support.
 6. A device as recited in claim 5 including in addition a plate secured to said rods at said first-mentioned continuations thereof, said second means for support being spaced tangs projecting from one edge of said plate defining said individual prongs of said second means for support.
 7. A device as recited in claim 6 in which each of said tangs is a continuation of said plate including a first portion aligned with said plate and adjacent thereto, and a second portion bent upwardly from said first portion substantially at right angles relative thereto.
 8. A supporting device for implements comprising a duality of spaced parallel rods, each of said rods including a first relatively short straight portion having an undersurface adapted to engage the upper surface of a horizontal structure, a second relatively short straight portion extending downwardly substantially at right angles from one end of said first portion for alternatively engaging the forward surface of a vertical structure, and extending through openings in the upper surface of a horizontal structure for cooperating with said first portion in holding said device to such a horizontal structure, and a third portion longer than said first and second portions extending upwardly from the opposite end of said second portion at an obtuse angle relative to said first portion for engagement by an implement to be supported, a plurality of spaced balls secured to the upper surface of each of said third portions for forming abutments to retain such implements so engaged by said third portions, and an element attached to and interconnecting the upper surfaces of said first portions of said rods, said element having a plurality of spaced parallel tangs having portions projecting upwardly and in a plane substantially parallel to said second portions of said rods, said tangs being spaced outwardly beyond said second portions of said rods for engaging the rearward surface of such a vertical structure and cooperating with said second portions in holding said device to said vertical structure.
 9. A device as recited in claim 8 in which said element includes a substantially flat plate, and said tangs include additional portions extending from an edge of said plate to outer ends of said additional portions, said first-mentioned portions of said tangs extending from said outer ends of said additional portions of said tangs. 